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LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Report Civil Rights Abuses

National Domestic Violence Helpline:  

1-800-799-7233

Police Accountability:

IMMIGRATION AND IDENTIFICATION ASSISTANCE

 

 

Ordering Official Documents (Example: Birth Certificates)

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

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Learn more about the process - click here

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The Guilford County Family Justice Center

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PHONE:

The phone number for the Guilford County Family Justice Center is 336-641-SAFE (7233).

LOCATION:

The center is located on the 2nd floor of 201 S. Greene St., Greensboro, NC.

OUR MISSION:

To empower family violence victims to live free from violence and abuse and hold offenders accountable by providing easily accessible, coordinated, and comprehensive services in a single location.

OUR VISION:

To protect the vulnerable, stop the violence, restore hope, and make our community safer.

OUR STAFF:

Director: Catherine Johnson, MS, Ed.S, LMFT cjohnso5@myguilford.com
Navigator: Sonya Desai sdesai@myguilford.com
Navigator: Eileen Martin emartin@myguilford.com
Administrative Assistant: Angelina Meeks ameeks@myguilford.com

AVAILABLE SERVICES

  • Safety Planning – develop an individualized, comprehensive safety plan.

  • Shelter Placement – assistance accessing a confidential safe shelter.

  • Emergency Protective Orders – assistance filing a stay away/protection order (50B).

  • Child Advocacy and Support – advocacy and support services to child victims and witnesses of domestic and sexual violence, including forensic interviewing and emotional support.

  • Adult Advocacy and Support – information, support, and assistance with accessing resources and help navigating the judicial system.

  • Criminal Investigation – meet with someone about possible criminal charges, discuss a pending case, and learn about the court process.

  • Legal Services and Advocacy – assistance with your civil and/or criminal case and help you navigate the judicial system.

  • Medical Care – a specially trained nurse can conduct sexual assault and/or domestic violence evaluation exams and document your injuries.

  • Emergency Needs and Support – connect to resources to assist in supplying food, shelter, and clothing.

  • Employment and Financial Support – information and referrals to community services including financial literacy classes, employment assistance, job training, help with food stamps, victim compensation, and other public assistance.

  • Emotional Support and Mental Health Services– Emotional Support and Referrals for specialized mental health services for children and adults.

 

 

VOLUNTEER INTEREST

Volunteers are essential in assisting with FJC operations. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please contact, Sonya Desai at sdesai@myguilford.comor call 336-641-7233.

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List of Legal Aide Clinics in North Carolina

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Advocates for Children's Services

201 West Main Street, PO Box 2101 Suite 400 Durham, NC27702

919-226-0052

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/projects/Advocates-for-Childrens-Services.aspx

 

Battered Immigrant Project of Legal Aid of NC

1431 Elizabeth Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204

1-866-204-7612 (toll-free)

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/projects/Battered-Immigrant-Project.aspx

 

Catholic Social Services--Diocese of Charlotte

1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, NC 28203

704-370-3262

http://www.cssnc.org

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

 

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

1431 Elizabeth Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204

704-376-1600

http://www.lssp.org

Read this in:

Spanish / Español

 

Child Advocacy of Durham

121 Market Street Durham, NC 27701

919-682-1129https://www.lawhelpnc.org/organization/child-advocacy-of-durham?ref=ub1V0

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Disability Rights North Carolina

3724 National Drive Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27612

919-856-2195

http://www.disabilityrightsnc.org/

 

Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative of Legal Aid of NC

224 South Dawson Street Raleigh, NC 27601

919-856-2157

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/projects/domestic-violence-prevention-initiative.aspx

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Episcopal Farmworker Ministry (El Centro y La Sagrada Familia)

2989 Easy Street Dunn, NC 28334

910-567-6917

http://www.efwm.org

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Farmworker Unit, Legal Aid of NC

224 South Dawson Street Raleigh, NC 27611

919-856-2180

http://www.farmworkerlanc.org/es/

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International House/ Casa Internacional

1817 Central Avenue Suite 217 Charlotte, NC 28205

704-333-8099

http://www.ihclt.org/

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Land Loss Prevention Project

401 N. Mangum Street Durham, NC 27701

919-682-5969

https://www.landloss.org

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Lawyer Referral Service

8000 Weston Parkway Cary, NC 27513

919-677-8574

https://www.ncbar.org/public-resources/lawyer-referral-service/

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid Child Custody Clinic

Multiple Locations Raleigh, NC 27603

http://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/Pages/self-help-clinics/child-custody-and-visitation-clinic.aspx

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid Criminal Expungement Clinic

Multiple Locations Raleigh, NC 27603

http://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/Pages/self-help-clinics/criminal-record-expungement-clinic.aspx

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid Employee Rights Clinic

Raleigh, NC 27603

http://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/Pages/self-help-clinics/Employee-Rights-Clinic.aspx

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will Clinic

Raleigh, NC 27603

http://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/Pages/self-help-clinics/health-care-powers-of-attorney-and-living-wills-clinic.aspx

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid Landlord/Tenant Rights Clinic

Raleigh, NC 27603

http://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/Pages/self-help-clinics/tenant-rights-clinic.aspx

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid of North Carolina

224 South Dawson Street Raleigh, NC 27601

919-856-2564

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/default.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Greensboro Office

122 North Elm Street, Suite 700 Suite 700 Greensboro, NC27401

336-272-0148

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/greensboro.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Ahoskie Office

610 East Church Street Ahoskie, NC 27910

252-332-5124

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/ahoskie.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Central Intake

322 Chapanoke Road Suite 180 Raleigh, NC 27603

866-219-5262

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Charlotte

1431 Elizabeth Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204

704-971-0180

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/charlotte.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Concord Office

785 Davidson Drive, NW Concord, NC 28025

704-786-4145

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/concord.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Durham Office

201 West Main Street, Suite 400 Durham, NC 27701

919-688-6396

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/durham.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Fayetteville Office

327 Dick Street, Suite 103 East Fayetteville, NC 28301

910-483-0400

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/fayetteville.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Gastonia Office

1508 South York Road Gastonia, NC 28052

704-865-2357

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/gastonia.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Greenville Office

301 South Evans Street (27858), Suite 102, P.O. Box 7283 (27835-7283) Greenville, NC 27858

252-758-0113

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/greenville.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Morganton Office

211 East Union Street Morganton, NC 28655

828-437-8280

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/morganton.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Pembroke Office

101 East Second Street Pembroke, NC 28372

910-521-2831

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/pembroke.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Pittsboro Office

959 East Street, Suite A & B Pittsboro, NC 27312

919-542-0475

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/pittsboro.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Raleigh Office

224 South Dawson Street (P.O. Drawer 1731 ZIP-27602)Raleigh, NC 27601

919-828-4647

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/raleigh.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Senior Law Project

547 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/projects/Senior-Law-Project.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Sylva Office

1286 West Main Street, P.O. Box 426 Sylva, NC 28779

828-586-8931

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/sylva.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Wilmington Office

272 North Front Street, Suite 220, P.O. Box 814 (28402)Wilmington, NC 28402

910-763-6207

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/wilmington.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Wilson Office

208 Goldsboro Street East, P.O. Box 2688 Wilson, NC27893

252-291-6851

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/wilson.aspx

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Legal Aid of North Carolina - Winston-Salem Office

102 West Third Street, Suite 460, (27101), P.O. Box 20188 (27120-0188) Winston Salem, NC 27120

336-725-9162

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/offices/winston-salem.aspx

 

Legal Aid Simple Divorce Clinic

Multiple Locations Raleigh, NC 27603

http://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/Pages/self-help-clinics/simple-divorce-clinic.aspx

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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McDowell St. Center for Family Law

101 N. McDowell St., Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28204

704-331-4774

http://www.centerforfamilylaw.org/

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Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Project

224 South Dawson Street Raleigh, NC 27601

http://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/projects/Mortgage-Foreclosure-Prevention-Project.aspx

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North Carolina Coalition for Responsible Lending

302 West Main Street, Durham, NC Durham, NC 27701

919-313-8500 (Durham, N.C.)

http://www.responsiblelending.org/states/north-carolina

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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North Carolina Justice Center

224 South Dawson Street Raleigh, NC 27611

919-856-2570

http://www.ncjustice.org

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North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services

1110 Wake Forest Road, P.O. Box 25397 Raleigh, NC 27611

919-856-2200

http://www.ncpls.org

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Pisgah Legal Services

62 Charlotte Street Asheville, NC 28801

828-253-0406

http://www.pisgahlegal.org/

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The Children's Law Center

601 East 5th Street, Suite #480 Charlotte, NC 28202

704-943-9400

http://www.childrenfamily.org/

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The Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina

8 West Third Street Suite M6 Winston-Salem, NC 27101

336-831-1909

http://www.childrenslawcenternc.org/

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The Children's Law Clinic, Duke Law School

P.O. Box 90360 Durham, NC 27708

919-613-7169

http://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/services/

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The Elder Law Clinic of Wake Forest University School of Law Worrell Professional Center

1834 Wake Forest Road P.O. Box 7206 Winston Salem, NC27109

336-758-5061

http://elder-clinic.law.wfu.edu/services/

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The 26th Judicial District Self-Serve Center (Mecklenburg County only)

832 E. Fourth St. Suite 3350 Charlotte, NC 28202

(704) 686-0210

http://www.nccourts.org/county/mecklenburg/selfserve/index.html

This group does not provide legal representation in court.

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WildLaw

46 Haywood St., Ste. 323 Asheville, NC 28801

828-252-9223

http://www.wildlaw.org

Know Your Rights : STOPPED BY THE POLICE

- From the ACLU of North Carolina

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We rely on the police to keep us safe and treat us all fairly, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin or religion. This card provides tips for interacting with police and understanding your rights.

This information is not intended as legal advice.

 

YOUR RIGHTS

  • You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud.

  • You have the right to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your home.

  • If you are not under arrest, ask ifyou are free to leave. If you may leave, do so calmly.

  • You have the right to a lawyer if you are arrested. Ask for one immediately.

  • Regardless of your immigration or citizenship status, you have constitutional rights.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Do stay calm and be polite.

  • Do not interfere with or obstruct the police.

  • Do not lie or give false documents.

  • Do remember the details of the encounter.

  • Do file a written complaint or call your local ACLU if you feel your rights have been violated.

IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING

Stay calm. Don’t run. Don’t argue, resist or obstruct the police, even if you are innocent or police are violating your rights. Keep your hands where police can see them.

Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly and silently walk away. If you are under arrest, you have a right to know why.

You have the right to remain silent and cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. If you wish to remain silent, tell the officer out loud. In some states, you must give your name if asked to identify yourself.

You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but police may “pat down” your clothing if they suspect a weapon. You should not physically resist, but you have the right to refuse consent for any further search. If you do consent, it can affect you later in court.

IF YOU ARE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR

Stop the car in a safe place as quickly as possible. Turn off the car, turn on the internal light, open the window part way and place your hands on the wheel.

Upon request, show police your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance.

If an officer asks to look inside your car, you can refuse to consent to the search. But if police believe your car contains evidence of a crime, your car can be searched without your consent.

Both drivers and passengers have the right to remain silent. If you are a passenger, you can ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, sit silently or calmly leave. Even if the officer says no, you have the right to remain silent.

IF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS COME TO YOUR HOME

If the police or immigration agents come to your home, you do not have to let them in unless they have certain kinds of warrants.

Ask the officer to slip the warrant under the door or hold it up to the window so you can inspect it. A search warrant allows police to enter the address listed on the warrant, but officers can only search the areas and for the items listed. An arrest warrant allows police to enter the home of the person listed on the warrant if they believe the person is inside. A warrant of removal/deportation (ICE warrant) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent.

Even if officers have a warrant you have the right to remain silent.If you choose to speak to the officers, step outside and close the door.

IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY THE FBI

If a FBI agent comes to your home or workplace, you do not have to answer any questions. Tell the agent you want to speak to a lawyer first.

If you are asked to meet with FBI agents for an interview, you have the right to say you do not want to be interviewed. If you agree to an interview, ask to have a lawyer present. You do not have to answer any questions you feel uncomfortable answering, and can say that you will only answer questions on a specific topic. 

IF YOU EXPECT THAT YOU MAY BE ARRESTED

  • Prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested.

  • Memorize the phone numbers of your family and your lawyer. 

  • Make emergency plans if you have children or take medication.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED

  • Do not resist arrest, even if you believe the arrest is unfair. Do not resist arrest, Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately.

  • Don’t give any explanations or excuses. If you can’t pay for a lawyer, you have the right to a free one.

  • Don’t say anything, sign anything or make any decisions without a lawyer.

  • You have the right to make a local phone call. Assume the police listen, even if you call a lawyer.

Special considerations for non-citizens:

  • Ask your lawyer about the effect of a criminal conviction or plea on your immigration status.         

  • Don’t discuss with your immigration status with anyone but your lawyer.

  • While you are in jail, an immigration agent may visit you. Do not answer questions or sign anything before talking to a lawyer.

  • Read all the papers fully. If you do not understand or cannot read the papers, tell the officer you need an interpreter.

IF YOU FEEL YOUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED

Remember: police misconduct cannot be challenged on the street.

Don’t physically resist officers or threaten to file a complaint.

Write down everything you remember, including the officers’ badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses. If you are injured, take photographs of your injuries (but seek medical attention first).

File a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian board. In most cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish.

 

For more information on this topic and for a full list of ACLU Know Your Rights resources, visit aclu.org/kyr.

Legal Aide Clinis
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